Protective Device and Method of Manufacturing The Same

ABSTRACT

A protective device and its method of manufacture is disclosed where the device includes a spherical portion that has an incision in its upper surface and a sleeve portion that fits snugly over the spherical portion in such a manner so that the device can be placed on a furniture leg to protect the furniture and reduce noise associated therewith.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/055,531 filed May 23, 2008, entitled “PROTECTIVE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a novel protective device and method of manufacturing the same.

2. Description of Related Art

In the past, there have been numerous products that have been used in the furniture, household industry, medical industry, and educational institutions to try and solve a problem that has plagued many households and institutions over the years. In general, when a piece of furniture such as a chair, table, stool or walker is used, it typically has numerous legs made of various materials such as wood, metal, formica, plastic and the like. When one uses these chairs, tables and the like there typically comes occasion where the furniture needs to be moved either because the person sitting on the chair, for example, needs to get up or because the chair needs to be moved to a different location. It is not uncommon for a household member especially in the situation where children are involved to drag the chair over the floor surface thus resulting in possible damage to the floor surface, the legs of the furniture piece, as well as creating an undesirable noise (i.e. grinding/scratching sound) for those nearby as well as those located in the floor below where the furniture is located.

Various different products have been used to try and alleviate this problem in the past, such products include small stick-on devices that are minute in size and stick to the bottom of the chair leg for example. Although somewhat helpful, this product creates at the very least an undesirable appearance for the furniture piece. Additionally, this small stop-gap measure which is placed under the legs of a chair typically easily comes apart, frays or attracts hair and dirt and the stick-on portion of the device also could permanently stick and ruin the legs of the chair. This product could eventually harden, become a permanent attachment of the chair and eventually create an even more disturbing sound when the leg is pushed or dragged across the floor.

An additional product that has been used in the past to try to alleviate this problem is a sliding device or plate which does not actually attach itself to the furniture piece but rather is placed under the furniture legs or at intervals when the furniture needs to be moved. While such a device is practical for moving a large piece of furniture and being able to slide it across a wood floor for example, such a device provides its own negatives in that it is not directly attached to the furniture piece and needs to be taken on and off from the legs of the furniture each time the furniture piece needs to be moved. Additionally, such a device is typically not made in an aesthetic way and is usually not pleasing to the users' eye. Another device that has been used in the past is a plastic piece that has a nail attachment that needs to be hammered into the bottom of the furniture leg with a tool (such as a hammer). Although this alternate device is helpful, in that it is attached to the furniture leg, it is lacking in that the pigment used in such a device eventually wears off causing an even louder disturbing noise when the leg is dragged across the floor. This device tends to wear and crack to the point that the nail shows through and scrapes into the flooring.

Therefore, a need exists for a product that is aesthetically pleasing, compact, durable and practical to solve the deficiencies mentioned above without the requirement of tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the foregoing and other deficiencies in the art. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a protective device for a furniture leg comprises a spherical portion with an upper and lower surface wherein the upper surface contains an incision for insertion of the furniture leg, a sleeve portion that is stitched in such a manner that it can fit over the spherical portion wherein when the sleeve portion partially covers the spherical portion, the incision and lower surface are left uncovered.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve portion of the protective device has an elastic member stitched onto its surface to enable a secure fit between the spherical portion and sleeve portion. In another embodiment of the present invention, the lower surface of the spherical portion contains one or more holes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a kit of protective devices can consist of multiple spherical portions and multiple sleeves wherein each or some of the sleeves are a different design or color and each or some of the spherical portions different size, design or color so that a user can mix and match the sleeves and spherical portions to create differing devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the embodiments set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, but merely to clarify and be illustrative of embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing a device on a chair according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing a portion of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic showing the sleeve portion of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a schematic showing the sleeve portion of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a schematic showing the sleeve portion of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an assembled device according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a different view of an assembled device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

In general, the present invention relates to a protective device for household furniture and a method of manufacturing the same. As described in greater detail below, and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the device disclosed herein protects both the furniture and floor and reduces noise associated with movement of the furniture.

The device of one embodiment of the present embodiment includes a spherical object preferably made out of rubber or other flexible material the spherical object being specially designed with an opening to fit the leg or other support of a piece of furniture or other item needing protection. The spherical portion is also designed in a way to conform itself to wrap around various sizes of portions of the furniture inserted therein. Additionally, a sleeve made out of an elastic material is placed around the spherical portion leaving at least a top portion of the spherical portion which has the opening to accommodate the furniture product, uncovered. This sleeve is designed in such a way that it hugs the spherical portion so as to appear as a single piece. Alternatively, the sleeve can be made out of a non-elastic material and have an elastic portion that allows it to grasp the spherical portion. In practice, the portion of the furniture product (e.g., the leg) that is inserted into the opening of the spherical portion forms a tight fit between the spherical portion and the furniture product allowing the device and furniture product to be mated in a way that the device is secure but can be removed easily if necessary, preferably without any tools.

It should be noted that although the below description describes the device of the present invention using a spherical shaped portion, the device of the present invention can be manufactured using any spherical item or other shaped item that has similar properties to those described below. Additionally, even though the below description discusses the device being inserted onto the legs of the chair, the device's utility should not be limited thereby and rather the device can be used to accomplish its noise reducing, protective purpose on any item that requires such features or where such features and functionality is desired. Thus, reference to furniture herein should be interpreted broadly to mean without limitation any type of equipment, furniture such as chairs, tables, light fixtures, art, stands, walkers, lounge furniture and should not limited in any way to the examples described herein.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, device 100 can be inserted on chair 105 in such a manner that allows any or all of chair legs 110 to be inserted into the open portion of device 100 to protect legs 110 of chair 105 and reduce noise when chair 105 is moved. As will be described in more detail below, device 100 is manufactured in such a way to enable seamless interaction between chair legs 110 and device 100 without the use of tools.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, spherical portion 205 of device 100 is created by taking a spherical shaped piece of rubber or other elastic material that is hollow in its middle, similar to a tennis ball, and creating an incision 210 in its surface portion. Preferably, this incision is in the shape of an “X” or a “Y” to allow easy insertion of the furniture leg. This incision allows the insertion of a furniture leg in a manner that allows the leg to fit into spherical piece 205 via incision 210, and be attached in a manner that does not easily dislodge due to the resilient nature of the rubber wall, but at the same time the leg can be removed when necessary. At the time that the incision is made in spherical piece 205, the hollow rubber piece releases pent up air from within the sphere but still remains in its spherical form (does not deflate) allowing it to act as a base for furniture legs for example.

In the optimal embodiment, only a single X or Y incision is made on the top ½ inch of sphere 205 and no additional split is made. It is also important that, when incision 210 is made in sphere 205, the cut goes into the rubbery surface. The incision is preferably not made more than 1.75 inches in length, which would probably deflate sphere 205 in its entirety and render it useless to serve the purpose of the device. It is of course important to note that the exact size, shape and length of incision 210 is based upon the size and thickness of spherical portion 205 being incised and the types of items (e.g., common chair leg) it is to be used with. However, for a typical tennis ball sized sphere, the inventor has determined that the incision is preferably anywhere from 0.25 inches to 1.75 inches wide.

In one embodiment, a chalk-like substance will be added to sphere 210 marking the incision before such incision is made. This chalk-like substance is helpful because it will leave a residue on the location of the sphere that was cut, even after the instrument is removed. This residue will allow the user or manufacturer to easily locate the incision even if the incision is not very deep. Thus, even before the device is completely assembled, it will not be difficult to locate the incision.

In one embodiment of the present invention, rubber sphere 205 or a similar spherical piece for device 100 has an outer felt-like or wooly surface, similar to that of a tennis ball, which creates a silencing dynamic when it is rubbed or dragged along a hard surface such as the floor. This surface, which can be made of nylon polymer fibers, acts as a silencer when the material is dragged along a floor or the ground. Additionally, the wool-like material does not wear as easily as other material that has been used as silencers in the past (although such materials are not excluded from being used). Therefore, using sphere 205 that has a felt or wool-like substance surrounding its rubbery exterior enhances the durability of the device even with excessive use. Additionally, the wool-like material does not snag or catch on floor materials and drags along the floor in a gliding manner that prevents issues that were raised with prior art devices.

In one embodiment, device 100 can also be used in an outside environment such as a patio or pool area, where the device can be placed upon lounge chairs or tables, for example. Such use would in some instances provide additional “wear and tear” on device 100 which the device described herein can sustain for a longer period of time than prior art devices. In addition, device 100 can act as a barrier to prevent the legs of the chair/furniture to slip, for example, between the slates on patio/deck and also prevent the chair/furniture leg from creating a hole in a grass or lawn surface. Moreover, device 100 can also be made using water resistant materials to prevent damage and provide water resistance. In one embodiment of the present invention, spherical portion 205 also has one or more additional incisions or holes at the bottom portion of the sphere (e.g., the portion that makes contact with the floor) so as to allow moisture to drip out of the bottom of device 100. For example, if water enters the device through incision 210 or otherwise, these additional holes at the bottom of sphere 205 allow for the water or moisture to escape so that they do not build up within the sphere and cause decay, mildew or moisture damage.

It should be noted that although device 100 has been described in terms of having spherical portion 205, other shapes can be used as well if necessary to accommodate different items that will be utilizing device 100, and the description of a spherical shape should not limit the present invention in any manner. For example, if the device is to be used in a large couch, and the user of the couch wishes for decorative purposes or other reasons to have a more rectangular device attached to the leg of the couch, a hollow piece with a generally rectangular profile having properties similar to spherical portion 205 discussed above can be used. Alternatively, a circular or cylindrical piece may be used to accommodate different needs and different shaped furniture pieces.

In one embodiment of the present invention, spherical portion 205 can be dyed with various dye materials to color device 100. In practice, spherical portion 205 is placed in a dye like material and allowed to dry before sleeve 305 is placed on top of the spherical portion as discussed below. This allows an aesthetically pleasing look to any portion of the spherical portion that will still be visible once spherical portion 205 is covered with sleeve 305.

Once spherical portion 205 has been prepared for use within device 100, a sleeve 305 is created to be placed around spherical portion 205 before device 100 is placed on chair leg 110. As can be seen in FIG. 3A, sleeve 305 a can be created in a generally rectangular shape with curved edges which can be made out of any type of material although it is preferred to have an elastic component such as nylon, polyester, rubber, leather or materials with spandex®. Alternatively, sleeve 305 need not have an additional elastic component but rather the weave of the material itself can be elastic. Sleeve 305 can be any size or shape but is generally shaped so that stitching the edges together will produce a generally spherical shape with top and bottom openings.

As can be seen in FIG. 3B, sleeve 305 may be created by taking a rectangular piece of material 305 b, and forming a semicircular cut in the material near each end (320, 325) of the rectangular piece of material 305 b. Cutting the material in this manner will allow the rectangular material to take on a curved shape that will fit snuggly over spherical portion 205. Preferably newly created edges 320 and 325 will then be stitched or sewn together as discussed in more detail below to create sleeve 305 that can fit over spherical portion 205.

Preferably sleeve 305 is created so that the top opening and bottom openings of sleeve 305 are not the same size when the edges of sleeve 305 are joined together. Alternatively, straight edges are stitched at slight angles, approximately between 0 and 10 degrees. Stitching the sleeve at such an angle allows sleeve 305 to be more spherical and have a tighter fit when it is placed upon sphere 205. Moreover, stitching the sleeve at an angle provides additional elasticity to sleeve 305 so that it can fit snug around the entire sphere 205 even though the center of sphere 205 is wider than the top and bottom of sphere 205. It is optimal for sleeve 305 to be able to be snuggly fit over the spherical portion of the device. In one embodiment, sleeve 305 is sewn so that there is an exposed opening at the lower portion thereby allowing the lower portion of sphere 205 to rub against the flooring. The two openings of sleeve 305 allow for the sleeve to be placed on sphere 205 and allows the leg to be placed through one opening of the sleeve and inside sphere 205 through incision 210, while allowing the portion of sphere 205 exposed through the other opening of sleeve 305 to be used as a protection and silencing mechanism.

As can be seen in FIG. 3B, the edges of sleeve 305 can also have elastic material 310 and 315 sewn, stitched or otherwise affixed thereto. This elastic material such as polyurethane tape (e.g. shoulder tape) gives the sleeve elastic properties which allow the sleeve to fit snuggly on the spherical portion 205.

In the present embodiment, the sleeve is preferably between 3 and 8 inches in length or long enough to cover the circumference of the spherical portion and between 2 and 4 inches in width or wide enough to cover the full height of the spherical portion, although other sizes and dimensions can similarly be used.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the edges of sleeve 305 are stitched or sewn together creating seam 405 that produces a spherical-shaped covering that can be fit on top and over the spherical portion 205 of the device. Preferably, sleeve 305 is manufactured in a way that allows it to fit snuggly over spherical portion 205 while still leaving an opening at the upper portion of the sphere where incision 210 is located as well as the opposite portion of sphere 205 which will eventually lie against the floor surface. Sleeve portion 305 can be stitched using any known or hereafter developed method of sewing, stitching or weaving which can include both machine-made stitching or handmade stitching. Preferably one opening of sleeve 305 has a diameter between 0.5 inch and 1.0 inch where incision 210 will be visible from and the other opening which will interact with the floor has an opening with a diameter between 1.2 inches and 1.75 inches. It should be appreciated that in addition to the other benefits of sleeve 305, sleeve 305 can also produce the added benefit of collecting dust or other particles that would normally be located on the floor or the furniture.

In one embodiment of the present invention, multiple sleeves can be used for a single device. For example, sleeves can be designed in various different fashions, colors, embroideries, or containing company logos, messages and identities to meet a user's specifications and can be each made to fit the same spherical portion. Thus, a user can change the sleeve at will based on the décor or atmosphere that he or she is trying to create and at the same time be able to have a long-lasting device that provides noise-reduction and protection as described above. Since the sleeve can be put on without the need for any special tooling different sleeves can be alternated on a single spherical portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, sleeves 305 and spherical portions 205 can be sold or packaged as part of a kit. For example, a kit can consist of multiple spherical portions 205 and multiple sleeves 305 wherein each or some of the sleeves are a different design or color and each or some of the spherical portions 205 are a different size, design or color. In this way, the user of the kit can create multiple devices 100 by mixing and matching sleeves 305 with spherical portions 205 and can create different color or designed devices to match the user's needs. Alternatively, the sleeve may have different color or designs on its inside and outside surfaces and may therefore be reversible when placed upon the spherical portion. In other words if placed upon the spherical portion with the outside surface showing, it can be one color, and if turned over and placed upon the spherical portion with the inside surface showing it can be a different color. Thus, a user can use a single sleeve in various manners to create a different look depending on the user's preference.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, once sleeve 305 has been stitched properly it is placed over sphere 205 to form a functional practical and aesthetically pleasing device which then can be inserted onto, for example, a chair leg. In practice, chair leg 110 is inserted into incision 210 that was made in spherical portion 205 until the bottom surface of the chair leg is flush against the bottom of the inner surface of spherical portion 205. As mentioned above, the opening of the sleeve where the leg is inserted is preferable smaller than the opening that will be on the floor. The rubber material of sphere 205 is resilient and allows incision 210 to expand and contract, so that incision 210 in sphere 205 can accommodate numerous size chair legs or other furniture pieces. Incision 210 is preferably slightly smaller than the diameter of the leg being inserted, so that the leg can fit snuggly in device 100, although other sizes are possible. Once the chair leg is inserted into incision 210, and pressure is applied, the material that the spherical portion is made of allows the spherical portion to contract around the chair leg creating a tight fit between the chair leg and device 100. In this manner, the device can accommodate different sizes and shaped items making the device scalable as well as practical for various uses.

The manner in which the device is manufactured as well as a description of the manufacturing tools used to create the device will now be described in more detail.

In order to manufacture sleeve 305 of the present embodiment, a fabric is knitted on a vertical stripping border machine that may have multiple feeds for different colored materials. The edges of sleeve 305 can either be made or covered with spandex®, polyurethane or another elastic material while the center may be made with other natural fibers or man made materials. After knitting the sleeve, the fabric can be shrunk so that the spandex edges of the sleeve are smaller than the center of the sleeve creating a snug like grip when placed on sphere 205. Alternatively, the fabric is shrunk after being placed upon sphere 205. The fabric is then laid out and cut for size and shape to fit sphere 205. In one embodiment, the direction/angle of the cut of the fabric depends on the elasticity of the material. Since each material has different elastic tension and the fabric preferably needs to have a snug-like grip to both the top and bottom of sphere 205, the angle of the cut where they will be sewn together is important for both the overall look of device 100 as well as the ability to remove and replace the sleeve with ease. The edges of sleeve 305 are then sewn or woven with a sewing machine or in any other manner as is known or hereafter developed in the art. Additionally, a rib knitting machine or similar device could be employed and the sleeve generated without seams. It should be noted that although specific materials and methods of connecting the materials are discussed herein, device 100 and components thereof should not be limited thereby and can be implemented using any materials or methods heretofore known or hereafter developed.

In one embodiment, spherical portion 205 is perforated with a high pressure cutting tool shaped to the specification for incision (e.g., X or Y shape). Spherical portion 205 can also be dyed or coloring using a dying process. In this process, the sphere can for example be sprayed or dipped into a liquid/power dye that will alter the color of the sphere. In one embodiment of the present invention, an adhesive material (e.g., glue) is placed on spherical portion 205 so that sleeve 305 can adhere to the spherical portion.

In one embodiment, the fitting of the 305 on sphere 205 will be done with a high pressure device that slips its expandable fingers through sleeve 305, and spreads open sleeve 305. Sphere 205 is then dropped into the now-open sleeve, and the fingers then contract and slip out, leaving the sleeve snug around the sphere to create device 100.

It should be noted that although the device described above is described in terms of specific materials, different fabrics, specific items as well as specific functionality, other embodiments of the present invention could be implemented different materials, different products, different fabrics and different items. Moreover although described as a single device, the various elements of the device can each be used individually, in combination with each other or in combination with other devices or elements. The precise design and method of manufacturing used may be altered within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art recognize that the device and method of the present invention has many applications, may be implemented in many manners and, as such, is not to be limited by the foregoing exemplary embodiments and examples. In this regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known and future developed variations and modifications to the device component described above as would be understood by those skilled in the art. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 

1. A protective device for a furniture leg comprising: a spherical portion with an upper and lower surface wherein the upper surface contains an incision for insertion of the furniture leg; a sleeve portion that is stitched in such a manner that it can fit over the spherical portion; wherein when the sleeve portion partially covers the spherical portion, the incision and lower surface remain uncovered.
 2. The protective device of claim 1 wherein the lower surface contains one or more holes.
 3. The protective device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve portion has an elastic member stitched onto its surface to enable a secure fit between the spherical portion and sleeve portion.
 4. A protective device for a furniture leg comprising: a spherical portion with a rubber-like surface and hollow interior wherein the spherical portion is covered with a wool-like substance and the upper portion of the surface contains an incision for mating the furniture leg with the spherical portion; a rectangular sleeve portion with a first end and a second end wherein the first end and second end are cut and stitched together in such a manner to create a first opening and second opening and to allow the sleeve potion to fit over the spherical portion; wherein the sleeve portion partially covers the spherical portion allowing the incision to remain visible through the first opening and the lower surface to remain visible through the second opening.
 5. The protective device of claim 4 wherein the first opening has a diameter between 0.5 inch and 1.0 inch and the second opening has a diameter between 1.2 inches and 1.75 inches. 